IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the Editor for Oct. 14, 2013

Published: Monday, October 14, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 3:54 p.m.

As I write this, our government is in the midst of a shutdown from failing to pass a budget, with a bigger fight looming over the extension of the debt limit.

It is reprehensible that either party — or any faction of either party — can hold out its support in any negotiation or compromise to prevent this from happening.

I believe that the most important work of the Congress is to pass a budget on time and pay the nation's bills on time. And if they could pass a balanced budget, it would also lessen the need to raise the debt limit every year.

My solution to avoiding a government shutdown from happening again is quite simple, and quite workable.

All it requires is that the deadline for passing a budget — and approve raising the debt ceiling, if necessary — be moved away from the end of the federal fiscal year, or when the government can no longer pay the bills that Congress has already authorized, and be set to the last day before the August recess begins.

Then if no agreement can be reached, the government does not shut down, but rather that ALL of Congress be required to keep working for as long as it takes to come to an agreement on legislation that the president will sign. Any member who fails to show up for work during this time without a valid excuse should be held in contempt of Congress.

This would eliminate either party from grandstanding for political purposes or allowing a faction of either party to put a choke hold on passing legislation.

Quite simply put, get your work done or you don't go on vacation until you do.

In the business environment, failing to submit a budget on time or threatening a shutdown because a small group of people wanted to “make a point” would not be tolerated, and it should not be tolerated by the American people either.

Roger Peterson

Summerfield

Downtown looks good

On Oct. 6, I enjoyed a great evening in downtown Ocala.

After dinner, the music and atmosphere was upbeat and energetic. All the young people that were there for the concert made the city feel alive.

It was a great chance to get out and see all the improvements that have been done to the downtown area.

One of the things I most wanted to see were the changes to the square. All the barricades were down and people were everywhere.

The gazebo looked beautiful, and everyone could see how fresh it was after the new paint job. We could also see the Seal of Ocala plainly sitting on the front of the gazebo.

This was a surprise because I had just gotten information from a candidate's campaign for City Council that told me the seal with “God Be With Us” had been removed. This couldn't be further from the truth. Believe me, the seal is there, and “God Be With Us” is where it's always been.

I'm amazed at what some people will say in order to try and get elected.

I think our city leaders are doing a good job of balancing our heritage with new, forward thinking events for the downtown.

I plan to vote for Suzy Heinbockel and Jay Musleh because I appreciate their honesty and that they make decisions based on fact.

Lenita Fontaine

Ocala

Free health care

Every year, thousands of Americans steal from their fellow citizens and are never arrested, let alone prosecuted. Why?

Because the theft is perfectly legal.

In fact, the victims are required by federal and state law to give the stolen property to the thieves.

That's our current health care system.

If you don't wear a seat belt or a motorcycle helmet, or you ride a skateboard down a flight of steps or off the roof of your house, and as a result of your own negligence you are injured, emergency medical technicians must give you a free ride to the nearest emergency room, and the hospital must take care of you — no questions asked.

If your kid has a sore throat or you have a stomach bug, or if you smoke or overeat and give yourself a heart attack, you can go to the emergency room and the staff is required to treat you.

Of course, they'll bill you later, but if you don't have insurance and you can't or won't pay, they'll just add your unpaid bill to their “overhead” and jack up what they charge the insurance companies, and everyone else will end up paying it.

You need to eat, but you'll be arrested if you take food from a store without paying.

Water is essential to life, but the city will shut you off if you don't pay their bill.

Why should medical care be free?

The tea party never complains about “nanny state” laws that force hospitals to give away their services.

That's because, if hospitals required payment up front, Americans would be beating down the doors of Congress to demand Medicare for all.

End the hypocrisy.

Pass laws that require everyone either to: pay up front, through insurance or cash, for medical care; pay taxes to cover medical care in the event you need it, just like all workers pay Social Security taxes; or hope you get better on your own.

Just don't expect the rest of us to provide you with something for nothing.

<p><b>A solution to a problem</b></p><p>As I write this, our government is in the midst of a shutdown from failing to pass a budget, with a bigger fight looming over the extension of the debt limit. </p><p>It is reprehensible that either party — or any faction of either party — can hold out its support in any negotiation or compromise to prevent this from happening.</p><p>I believe that the most important work of the Congress is to pass a budget on time and pay the nation's bills on time. And if they could pass a balanced budget, it would also lessen the need to raise the debt limit every year.</p><p>My solution to avoiding a government shutdown from happening again is quite simple, and quite workable. </p><p>All it requires is that the deadline for passing a budget — and approve raising the debt ceiling, if necessary — be moved away from the end of the federal fiscal year, or when the government can no longer pay the bills that Congress has already authorized, and be set to the last day before the August recess begins. </p><p>Then if no agreement can be reached, the government does not shut down, but rather that ALL of Congress be required to keep working for as long as it takes to come to an agreement on legislation that the president will sign. Any member who fails to show up for work during this time without a valid excuse should be held in contempt of Congress. </p><p>This would eliminate either party from grandstanding for political purposes or allowing a faction of either party to put a choke hold on passing legislation. </p><p>Quite simply put, get your work done or you don't go on vacation until you do.</p><p>In the business environment, failing to submit a budget on time or threatening a shutdown because a small group of people wanted to “make a point” would not be tolerated, and it should not be tolerated by the American people either.</p><p><i>Roger Peterson</p><p>Summerfield</i></p><p><b>Downtown looks good</b></p><p>On Oct. 6, I enjoyed a great evening in downtown Ocala. </p><p>After dinner, the music and atmosphere was upbeat and energetic. All the young people that were there for the concert made the city feel alive.</p><p>It was a great chance to get out and see all the improvements that have been done to the downtown area. </p><p>One of the things I most wanted to see were the changes to the square. All the barricades were down and people were everywhere.</p><p>The gazebo looked beautiful, and everyone could see how fresh it was after the new paint job. We could also see the Seal of Ocala plainly sitting on the front of the gazebo.</p><p>This was a surprise because I had just gotten information from a candidate's campaign for City Council that told me the seal with “God Be With Us” had been removed. This couldn't be further from the truth. Believe me, the seal is there, and “God Be With Us” is where it's always been.</p><p>I'm amazed at what some people will say in order to try and get elected. </p><p>I think our city leaders are doing a good job of balancing our heritage with new, forward thinking events for the downtown.</p><p>I plan to vote for Suzy Heinbockel and Jay Musleh because I appreciate their honesty and that they make decisions based on fact.</p><p><i>Lenita Fontaine</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Free health care</b></p><p>Every year, thousands of Americans steal from their fellow citizens and are never arrested, let alone prosecuted. Why? </p><p>Because the theft is perfectly legal. </p><p>In fact, the victims are required by federal and state law to give the stolen property to the thieves.</p><p>That's our current health care system. </p><p>If you don't wear a seat belt or a motorcycle helmet, or you ride a skateboard down a flight of steps or off the roof of your house, and as a result of your own negligence you are injured, emergency medical technicians must give you a free ride to the nearest emergency room, and the hospital must take care of you — no questions asked. </p><p>If your kid has a sore throat or you have a stomach bug, or if you smoke or overeat and give yourself a heart attack, you can go to the emergency room and the staff is required to treat you.</p><p>Of course, they'll bill you later, but if you don't have insurance and you can't or won't pay, they'll just add your unpaid bill to their “overhead” and jack up what they charge the insurance companies, and everyone else will end up paying it.</p><p>You need to eat, but you'll be arrested if you take food from a store without paying. </p><p>Water is essential to life, but the city will shut you off if you don't pay their bill. </p><p>Why should medical care be free?</p><p>The tea party never complains about “nanny state” laws that force hospitals to give away their services. </p><p>That's because, if hospitals required payment up front, Americans would be beating down the doors of Congress to demand Medicare for all.</p><p>End the hypocrisy. </p><p>Pass laws that require everyone either to: pay up front, through insurance or cash, for medical care; pay taxes to cover medical care in the event you need it, just like all workers pay Social Security taxes; or hope you get better on your own. </p><p>Just don't expect the rest of us to provide you with something for nothing.</p><p><I>Fran Clark</p><p>Ocklawaha</i></p>